The number of new cases of the highly contagious coronavirus variant first discovered in the United Kingdom continues to increase in New Jersey.
So far, there have been a total of 31 cases in 11 identified counties in New Jersey, Health Department Commissioner Judy Persichilli announced on Monday. The first two cases of the variant in New Jersey were identified last month.
The number of cases in each of the 11 counties is:
- Atlantic – 1
- Burlington – 4
- Essex – 4
- Hudson – 1
- Mercer – 1
- Middlesex – 2
- Monmouth – 2
- Morris – 2
- Ocean – 12
- Passaic – 1
- Warren – 1
At least one death was attributed to the new variant and three of the cases involved people with recent travel.
CORONAVIRUS RESOURCES: Live Map Tracker | Newsletter | Home page
New Jersey health officials reported on Monday another 2,218 confirmed cases of the coronavirus and an additional 25 deaths as the state exceeded 1 million doses of vaccine administered. The confirmed cases, however, were probably minor due to a delayed report from a laboratory that will be included in Tuesday’s update, said Governor Phil Murphy.
It is not clear how often positive test results are selected for variants in the state.
Scientists said the coronavirus mutation is up to 70% more contagious. But there is preliminary evidence that it may be more deadly and that other variants may be more resistant to vaccines. New Jersey is among dozens of states where the strain has been confirmed.
Viruses generally acquire minor changes of one or two letters in their genetic alphabet only through normal evolution. A slightly modified strain may become the most common strain in a country or region simply because it was the strain that first settled there or because “super spreader” events helped it to establish itself.
A major concern is when a virus mutates, changing the proteins on its surface to help it escape drugs or the immune system.
But New Jersey health officials said they did not believe the variant would limit the effectiveness of vaccines against the virus.
Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com
Matt Arco can be contacted at [email protected].